While the Broncos most likely will have to beat the 10-4 Eagles at Philadelphia next week and the 3-11 Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 3 to reach the AFC playoffs, it could have been worse.

The Broncos were one of several AFC wild-card contenders who lost this week. Miami, Jacksonville and the New York Jets all lost their seventh game.

The defeat to the Raiders, though, delivered a double-whammy to the Broncos' playoff hopes. One, because the Broncos not only fell to 8-6 overall, but 6-5 within the AFC. Conference record ordinarily is a pivotal tiebreaker.

If the Broncos split their two remaining games, they may not get in at 9-7, providing any number of the six 7-7 teams win out.

Raiders vs. Broncos

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"You want to win out, anyway," said receiver Eddie Royal. "No one said it was going to be easy."

Here's one scary scenario: If the Dolphins beat Houston next week, Pittsburgh beats Baltimore and the Broncos lose to Philadelphia, the Broncos are in trouble. That would mean even if the Broncos beat Kansas City in the season finale, they wouldn't make the playoffs if the then 8-7 Baltimore Ravens beat the Raiders in the final week.

Pittsburgh and Miami play each other in the season finale and the winner of that game would join the Ravens in having the tiebreaker on the Broncos.

In other words, the Broncos have to beat the Eagles.Carter makes impressive debut.

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Tony Carter, an undrafted rookie from Florida State, not only was promoted off the practice squad, but he had a big role, replacing veteran Ty Law as the nickel corner.

Carter was credited with a pass breakup (in the end zone), one tackle on defense, another tackle on special teams, and he recovered a fumble.

The only downside was he had to leave the game in the fourth quarter with what he called a "full-body cramp," the result of dehydration in his first game in about a year.

Laser disrupts play.

With the Broncos lined up on a second- and-goal near the south end zone, play was halted for more than five minutes as police and stadium security tried to find a fan with a laser pointer.

Brandon Marshall pointed into the South Stands trying to help officials locate the offending laser.

"It was a green light hitting players in the face, so they were taking every precaution to make sure we were safe out there," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said.

Injury report.

Royal left with a neck injury he suffered on a third-quarter catch. Cornerback Champ Bailey briefly left the game with what appeared to be a stinger late in the third quarter.

Rivalry renewed.

There were two scrums involving multiple players, mostly linemen from both teams. No flags were thrown.

Quarterback struggles.

Oakland coach Tom Cable said his quarterback situation for next week was too muddled to discuss after starter Charlie Frye left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter with a possible concussion.

The Raiders already had lost Bruce Gradkowski, who had taken over for JaMarcus Russell, to knee injuries. Cable has Russell and veteran J.P. Losman to start the week.

Footnotes.

Safety Renaldo Hill (ankle), running back Correll Buckhalter (ankle) and Law (hamstring) — all veterans who play critical roles — were inactive Sunday because of injuries. . . . Held without a sack, Elvis Dumervil still leads the league with 15, but he has not had a sack in three of the last five games. . . . The Raiders gained 200 of their 343 yards on offense on first-down plays. . . . For three consecutive series in the first half, the Broncos' front three consisted of Le Kevin Smith, Marcus Thomas and Vonnie Holliday. The first-team front three is Ryan McBean, Ronnie Fields and Kenny Peterson. . . . Broncos kicker Matt Prater passed the 100-point milestone for a second consecutive season. He is now 14-of-15 on field goals since the bye week.

Rockies are on pace to lose 93 games this seasonThe Rockies lost three of four in St. Louis and are on pace to lose 93 games as they come home for a three-game series with Seattle before going back on the road again to face Washington.